Join us for Fireside Fellowship, A Theatrical Christmas Celebration, a virtual presentation of new, short plays inspired by scriptures about Christmas and heartwarming songs of the season performed by stars from the worlds of Broadway and Opera.
Fireside Fellowship is free and available online to everyone Dec. 12 through Jan. 2 at FPAtheatre.com.
The presentation includes new works FPA commissioned from four exceptional playwrights, each 6 to 9-minute play inspired by Christmas scripture. The stories range from a hilarious take on a census worker who encounters Joseph and a very pregnant Mary, to a skeptical professor who learns that miracles can come in small packages, to an extra ordinary girl who uses an internet dance to express her joy and wonder, to a moving portrait of a grieving mother visited by an unexpected messenger. They are performed by excellent New York actors with a broad array of Broadway, Off-Broadway, TV and film credits. Fireside Fellowship also features beautiful new arrangements of classic Christmas carols such as Angels from the Realms of Glory and O Come, O Come Emmanuel, emerging classics like Mary Did You Know and culminating in choral music from Handel’s Messiah.
Mark your calendar for this special show that will make you laugh, think and be inspired anew.
Then gather your family and make Fireside Fellowship a special part of your Christmas traditions this year!
Available Free Dec 12 – Jan 2
1 Hour Virtual Presentation
The Plays
(Four 6 to 9-minute vignettes)
The Songs
Sung by
Sung by
Sung by
(from Handel’s Messiah)
Performed by a 12-person choir at New York City’s Metro Baptist Church
Robin Abramson
Robin starred as Joy Davidman in FPA’s production of Shadowlands off-broadway. Some regional credits include If I Forget at Studio Theatre in Washington DC (Helen Hayes nomination), Ghostwriter at Riverside Theatre, Othello and HEISENBERG at Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Pittsburgh City Theatre; The Last Match by Anna Zeigler, Elemeno Pea, Hope and Gravity, TRIBES (Philadelphia Theatre Company), Time Stands Still, Blackbird, Mary’s Wedding, Maple and Vine, and Outlying Islands. Additional regional favorites include TAMARA, The Electric Baby, Twelfth Night (Viola), When the Rain Stops Falling, Orange Flower Water, You Say Tomato, I Say Shut (Denver Center), and Tammy Ryan’s FBI Girl.
Heidi Armbruster
Heidi Armbruster is a New York based theater artist dedicated to creating new work and finding new approaches to classical theater and literature. Heidi is the co-founder of Dorset Theater Festival’s Women Artists Writing and a member of Interstate 73. Heidi’s play “Dairyland” received its world premiere in the fall of 2019 at Playmakers Rep. “Mrs. Christie” received its world premiere at Dorset Theatre Festival in the summer of 2019. Heidi was commissioned by the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to adapt Agatha Christie’s novel “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd." "Scarecrow," a solo show written and performed by Heidi, received its world premiere at Dorset Theatre Festival in 2022. As an actor, Heidi has extensive theater, film, and TV credits. Heidiarmbruster.com
Mira Bahgat
Mira Bahgat is an Egyptian/Syrian Actress, Singer, and Director who has a passion for showcasing authentic Middle Eastern and North African stories. Her previous credits include Carrie: The Musical and Screen Door, a theatrical adaptation of the 1937 film Stage Door.
Charlotte Booker
Charlotte Booker has been an actor for over forty years. She has played leading roles in regional theatre, been on Broadway twice, Off-and Off-off Broadway many times, toured all over, and done her share of TV, including the lead in the 90’s cult series “Hi Honey, I’m Home”. She graduated from Northwestern with a BS in Performance Studies, and studied acting with Uta Hagen, Shelley Winters, and the divine Geraldine Page. Her play THE BOOTHEEL, part of a trilogy about three generations of a Missouri family, was a 2021 semi-finalist at the O’Neill Playwrights Conference and the Garry Marshall New Works Project. She’s currently working on a solo show based on the life and songs of the beloved character actress Elsa Lanchester, for which she won the Alvin Epstein Solo Performance “Audience Favorite” award in 2022. For more info, check out www.charlottebooker.com.
Angel Desai
Most recent: guest stars on “Poker Face” (Peacock, upcoming), “Law and Order”, “Blue Bloods”, “For Life”, the indie films “Peas and Carrots” (upcoming), klutz., and “Lady Apsara”, and the voice of Dana Singh in Hulu’s 2nd season of “Dicktown”. Other recent TV: recurring roles on “NCIS: NOLA” and “Jessica Jones”, and guest spots on “FBI: Most Wanted”, “City On a Hill”, and “Bull”. Broadway: "Company" (2006). Off-Broadway includes: MTC, MCC, NYTW, CSC, Playwrights Horizons, The Public/NYSF, The Women's Project, and Ma-Yi. Film: The Oh-Gees, This Time Next Tuesday, The Clique, The War Within, Heights, Black Knight, Robot Stories. MFA: NYU.
Emily Drennan
From Oklahoma, Emily Drennan has been a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall. Broadway/Off-Broadway/International select credits: Mamma Mia internationally (Tanya); Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Netflix, PBS); New York Spectacular; Voca People (Mezzo) Off-Broadway and its Israel and Dubai tours, Jimmy Fallon Show and Sting appearances; Toxic Audio Off-Broadway and its Las Vegas companies. Emily has been a guest soloist with symphonies over 100 times and with 25 different orchestras. She is an ASCAP and Recording Academy (GRAMMY) producer, lyricist, composer, and recording artist with 2 Degrees and 4 minors, summa cum laude, from Oklahoma State University. Also a NYC Marathon finisher and Price is Right winner, Emily and her husband have a 4-year-old and infant. Forever for Dad. www.emilydrennan.com
Chris Erdman
Chris Erdman (he/him) is an actor and musician currently studying at The New School for Drama. He has performed in various productions at the school (In The Blood(upcoming), Guard Bitches, Spices). He also performed in The Oath as part of the New York Theatre Festival, and at The Tank. He has self produced and released several singles to all major music streaming platforms.
Lori Fischer
Lori Fischer received her M.F.A. from the N.Y.U. Dramatic Writing Department. She is an NYU Harry Kondoleon Graduate Award in Playwriting recipient, a Dramatists Guild Fellow and recently completed the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting. Lori’s play Petie has been called a cross between Medea and Rabbit Hole and hailed as a modern-day classic. Lori wrote and starred in her musical Barbara’s Blue Kitchen Off-Broadway at the Lamb’s Theatre. https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/barbaras-blue-kitchen_8760.html To find out more: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/s/4994/barbaras- blue-kitchen. Lori also co-wrote and starred in the musical The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers at Capital Repertory Theatre. For more information go to: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/59980/the-sparkley-clean-funeral-singers
Lynnette R. Freeman
Lynnette R. Freeman is a Jamaican-African-American actress, dancer, writer, and teaching artist, coach, Voiceover Artist/Narrator and doula raised in East Cleveland, OH, based in New York. Brown/Trinity MFA ; Member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, The League of Professional Theatre Women, The Actor’s Center, as well as a proud member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. She has performed in theaters all over the US. Favorite previous roles have included Cynthia in “Sweat”, Camae in “The Mountaintop”, God in “An Act Of God” , Georgia Dawson in “Travisville”, Lydia Namandu in “Human Rites”, Letitia in "On The Outs", Ruth in “A Raisin in the Sun”, Reheema Abu-Salaam in “In A Daughter’s Eyes”, Jenny/ Marge in “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play”; Esther Mills in “Intimate Apparel” and Pretty Mbane in “The Dangerous House of Pretty Mbane”. Lynnette believes in the divine healing power of movement and story telling. Facebook/ IG: @LynnetteRFreeman
Adaline Gomez
Adaline Gomez is an NYC based actor from Dallas, Texas. She received her BFA from the New School for Drama. Her recent credits include a supporting role in the indie feature Lily Darling as well as numerous theater productions such as Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula) and Henry IV part 2 (Fallstaff's Page) with Stag and Lion Theatre Company, Jean Jackets and Red Pandas at the Trinity Church Theater, The Future at the Actors Circle Ensemble PicPlays Festival, and Exploration of the Everchanging in residency at FiveMyles Gallery. https://adalinegomez.com
Alan H. Green
Broadway: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, SCHOOL OF ROCK, SISTER ACT, PLAY ON! Off-Broadway: Broadway Bounty Hunter, Happiness (Lincoln Center). Recent Regional: Griswold’s Broadway Vacation - 5th Ave Seattle, The Karate Kid - Stages St Louis, A.D.16 - Olney Theater. TV: ALMOST FAMILY, UNFORGETTABLE, MURPHY BROWN, 30 ROCK, PETER PAN LIVE!, LAW & ORDER SVU. Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor Musical (Berkie), Best Performer Streamed Musical (BroadwayWorld). Rice University Graduate. Metro Baptist Church Deacon. IG: @alanhgreen
Javier Ignacio
Javier Ignacio was in the most recent Broadway revival of Company starring Patti LuPone and Katrina Lenk. Other credits include: Broadway: SideShow (Harry Houdini/ Dog Boy) | Off-Broadway: Fiasco Theatre’s Twelfth Night (Sebastian); The Public/ PublicWorks’ Twelfth Night (Standby); NYCC's Encores! Call Me Madam | National Tour: Fiasco Theatre’s Into the Woods (Baker/ Mysterious Man/ Rapunzel’s Prince u/s). Javier studied Musical Theatre at Wichita State University and is a proud AEA member. @iamjavierignacio
Zachary James
2022 Grammy Award Winner. Created the role of Lurch in The Addams Family(Broadway) and the Scribe in the Olivier Award winning English National Opera production of Akhnaten. Additional engagements include The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Theater, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, Philadelphia Orchestra, LA Opera, Arizona Opera, Virginia Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Nashville Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Dallas Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Roanoke, Anchorage Opera, Opera Saratoga, Central City Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Shreveport Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Ithaca, Knoxville Opera, American Lyric Theatre, Prototype Festival, Phoenicia Festival and on TV’s “30 Rock”, “Law & Order: Organized Crime”, “The Blacklist”, “Succession”, “SNL”, “Murphy Brown”, “Live From Lincoln Center”, Tony Awards and more. Albums: Call Out, Exordium, Impossible Dream, On Broadway and more. www.ZachJames.com@theofficialzacharyjames
Layla Khoshnoudi
Hello! MFA, Brooklyn College. Select Theater: Men on Boats (Clubbed Thumb/Playwrights Horizons); Dance Nation (Playwrights Horizons); Bull in a China Shop (LCT3); Dido of Idaho (Ensemble Studio Theater); Wyoming (Lesser America); I am Gordafarid (Noor Theater). TV: Instinct (CBS); FBI (CBS); All Hail Beth (BricTV), My Ex is Trending (YouTube). FILM: Long Nights, Short Mornings; Bad at Birthdays, Nadia Jaan; Androgen; Bookends.
Emma Maggi-Byers
Emma Maggi-Byers is an NYC-based actor/writer who graduated with her BFA from The New School of Drama in 2021. Most recently, Emma appeared in the 2022 24-Hour Play Nationals and portrayed 'Holly' in the film Flour Girls, directed by Christian Wilcox. In her undergraduate, she acted in 14 productions and was able to take classes that ran the whole gambit of theatrical arts. Emma was honored to receive the Vinnette Justine Carroll award, recognizing students pursuing "groundbreaking multidisciplinary work." When she's not at work, she's hunting for the perfect bench in Brooklyn to read her book and eat a croissant.
Tianna Reaves
Tianna Reaves (she/her) is an actor and playwright who is Black and White and proudly Southern. She is currently enrolled in her last year at the New School for drama. There, she has been a part of productions like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Magenta) and Carrie the Musical (Mrs. Gardner). She also starred in the short film Paper People, which won best performance in the Toronto Sports and Recreation Film Festival. She would like to give a special thanks to director Christa for giving her this opportunity and for her support both inside and outside of the classroom.
Henny Russell
Fans of “Orange Is The New Black” will know her as Carol Denning; other TV credits include Dr Larkin on “Hightown”, Rosemary on “Three Women” (coming soon on Showtime),” The Other Two”, “Blue Bloods”, “Madam Secretary”, “Chicago Med”, and “Law &; Order: SVU”. Film credits include The Magnificent Meyersons, Brooklyn Love Stories, Growing Up Smith, Freeheld, Bridge of Spies, Kilimanjaro, and Revolutionary Road. Broadway credits include Oslo (2017 Tony Award for Best Play), The Audience, Machinal, The Winslow Boy, The Other Place, Lombardi, The Royal Family, and Major Barbara. Regionally, she has worked in theatres all across the country.
David Shih
Dave is a New York-based actor and audiobook narrator. Theater: Once Upon A (korean) Time (Ma-Yi Theater); The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin (Indiana Rep); Kim’s Convenience (Westport Country Playhouse); Will Eno’s Gnit (Theatre for a New Audience); KPOP (Ars Nova); The National Asian American Theatre Company’s Henry VI, Awake and Sing! (The Public Theater), [veil widow conspiracy] (Next Door@NYTW); The Great Wave (Berkeley Rep); Tiger Style! (La Jolla Playhouse); Somebody’s Daughter (Second Stage); Crane Story (Playwrights Realm). TV/Film: “Billions,” “Hunters,” “City on a Hill,” “Iron Fist,” “The Path,” “Blindspot,” The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Eighth Grade, Saving Face.
Jeff Talbott
Jeff Talbott is an NYC-based playwright, lyricist and librettist. His play The Submissionwas the inaugural winner of the Laurents-Hatcher Award and also the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award. He has written 12 plays, and he writes musicals with Will Van Dyke. Together, they have been finalists for the Fred Ebb Award and Kleban Award. They have released three EPs and multiple singles, and their music can be found wherever digital music is sold. More info at www.jefftalbott.com.
James Yaegashi
James Yaegashi is an award-winning filmmaker (Lefty Loosey Righty Tighty), translator of numerous contemporary Japanese plays, and conceiver of the international benefit SHINSAI: Theaters for Japan. He is also an actor with numerous credits across television, film, and stage. He is best known as Robert Minoru in Marvel’s Runaways. His work can also be seen on the upcoming Alex Garland film, Civil War, as well as The Blacklist, The Missing, New Amsterdam, Madam Secretary, Daredevil, Man on a Ledge, and The Thomas Crown Affair, etc. Broadway credits include Breakfast at Tiffany’s, A Naked Girl on the Appian Way and Take Me Out (2003 Tony for Best Play).
Kim Yancey-Moore
Kim recently completed a successful run as Lady Poynton-Mallow in the world premiere production of “The Sea Lady” at Metropolitan Playhouse in New York. She can currently be seen as Dr. Andrick in the indie short film Matthew”, winner of the best short drama film for the Cannes World Film Festival. Visit kimyancey.com